November 28, 2018 at 4:55 p.m.
BREAKING: Ferge out as RHS football coach
BREAKING: Ferge out as RHS football coach
Rhinelander High School is in the market for a new football coach for the second time in five years as head coach Chris Ferge will not return next fall.
The River News learned Wednesday Ferge's football coaching contract will not be renewed for the 2019 season, ending the coach's five-year run at the helm of the program.
The decision was made in a meeting Wednesday morning between Ferge and Rhinelander High School activities director Brian Paulson.
"I spoke with Chris today. We didn't know if he was going to step down or he was going to be released," Paulson said. "Chris was let go. Whose decision was it, I guess it was both of ours together (Paulson's along with district superintendent Kelli Jacobi)."
Ferge did not go into specifics regarding Wednesday's meeting, but emailed the following statement to the River News.
"I only wish to thank everyone who has ever played for me, who has coached with me and anyone who has supported me," he wrote. "I thank administration for the opportunity to be the head coach at Rhinelander. I wish everyone well next season. I hope they win every game and I will be routing (sic) for them."
Paulson said a group of parents within the program met with him and district superintendent Kelli Jacobi earlier this month and generally expressed displeasure with the direction of the program.
"There were a lot things that came about," Paulson said. "There was a parent meeting. We tried to contact all of the parents that were part of the program, the rest of the parents that did not attend that meeting."
While Paulson said he "wouldn't say it's just wins and losses" that prompted the move, he said there was no misconduct that provoked the action. Ferge went 9-35 in five seasons and was only 2-28 in Great Northern Conference play. Both of those wins came at the end of the 2017 season, which was Ferge's best at the helm of the Hodags at 3-6.
Ferge's stint in Rhinelander began with a 19-8 non-conference win over rival Antigo back in August 2014, but Ferge never beat the Red Robins in the annual Bell Game rivalry. Rhinelander has lost the last 12 Bell Games dating back to 2006.
Ferge replaced Jim Moore, who was let go following the 2013 season after 10 seasons at the helm.
Coaches within the School District of Rhinelander are at-will employees who operate on year-to-year contracts. Their hiring and non-renewal no longer requires approval from the board of education.
Paulson thanked Ferge for his time with the RHS football program.
"Chris put all of his heart and soul, and all of his assistants of course, put everything they had (into this program)," he said. "The hours they put in to give to the kids to have them have an opportunity to play football at the varsity level. We thank him for that, for sure."
Paulson said the school will begin the process for filling the vacancy soon.
"Trying to find a replacement will be a process, what teaching positions become available, staff that's interested at this point," he said. "I have not had any conversations about that and it has not been posted."
The River News will have more on this story as more information becomes available.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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